Sacred Heart basketball, ZaKiyah Johnson reach more milestones in LIT championship win

Sacred Heart accomplished another milestone in a possible season of destiny after winning the 2024 Republic Bank Louisville Invitational Tournament, 55-24, over Butler on Saturday night.

The Valkyries flipped a switch in the final 16 minutes after a lethargic first half in which they led at halftime, 20-12.

“We talk about our team trying to find their own identity,” Sacred Heart coach Donna Moir said. “We’ve challenged them with a national schedule, we challenge every day to get better, and so it's kinda fun to see them win and enjoy their wins.”

Moir said the Valkyries are “still finding” their identity, but she praised her team’s poise and unselfishness despite the lackluster first half.

Having five-star junior ZaKiyah Johnson helped, too.

In the second half, Johnson came out on a mission. Moir said establishing Johnson inside helped the Valkyries set the tone after intermission. Johnson scored 14 points in the third quarter, when she knocked down a trio of 3-pointers to help open up the game. Johnson’s 3-pointer from the corner gave her 2,000 career points.

“It was really that we needed to pick our energy up,” Johnson said. “We said we wanted this game, then Butler wanted to play us, we acted like we (weren’t) playing. Coach got into us every time we’re out (of) the loop then we just came out and showed out.”

By the end of the third quarter, the Valkyries led by 23 points after Claire Russell made a layup in the closing minutes.

“It definitely got me back in my rhythm,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t doing too well in the first half. My coach told me just keep shooting, don't let my emotions get to me. (Those moments) keep you going. You keep shooting, and they keep going in.”

The only thing that could stop Johnson, who is being recruited by Louisville and other schools, was a cramp. Just a moment before her leg cramped at the free-throw line, she converted a layup with a defender draped all over her. Johnson finished the LIT final with 25 points, four rebounds and three assists.

The title that Sacred Heart won Saturday is the first of many the Valkyries hope to win this season including Seventh Region, District 27, a berth in the Sweet 16 and a chance to immortalize the school as the first four-peat winner in state history.

“We got a few more important ones to go, but we're just gonna keep going until we get there,” Johnson said.

All-Tournament Team:

Reach sports reporter Brooks Warren at bwarren@gannett.com and follow him on X at @Broookksss.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA basketball: Sacred Heart defeats Butler to win LIT championship